Why is the Careful Handling of Scripture so Important?
 

by Dr. R. Larry Moyer

The careful handling of Scripture is not important in evangelism.  It is absolutely essential.  Why?

God says so.  Paul instructed Timothy “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:5).  He also instructed him “be diligent to present yourself approved of God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).  Evangelism and a proper handling of Scripture ought to be inseparable.  Both are important to God and need to be important to us.

It gives the clear authority of the Bible to our message.  When we speak to lost people, our message centers on sin, substitution, and faith.  What we say in those areas need to be His thoughts, not ours.  We say all men are sinners because God says all men are sinners (Romans 3:23).  We proclaim Christ’s death was a substitutionary death because God says His Son died on our behalf (Romans 5:8).  We say good works won’t get you to heaven because God declares goodness will not get you to heaven (Ephesians 2:8, 9).  If a lost person disagrees, their disagreement is with God not us.

It guards against false theology.  God’s word is both accurate and reliable.  Our words must be examined against His to ensure they are in compliance with Him.  Some have said, “If you don’t tell others about Christ, then you are not a Christian.”  The Bible never says that.  Evangelism is part of discipleship not salvation (Matthew 4:19).  Evangelists have said “If you don’t know the date you are saved, you are not saved.”  The Scripture never says that.  If you are trusting Christ alone to get you to heaven, you are saved regardless of when you crossed the line. 

The misuse and disuse of Scripture in evangelism creates confusion, wrong teaching, and even unnecessary guilt.  It is dishonoring to God.  Scripture studied carefully and used rightly honors God and allows us to say to lost people, “Thus saith the Lord.”  After all, our words don’t matter, His do.